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• L'Oreal to Research New Treatment For Graying Hair and Hair Loss

• HairSite Editorial - 7/24/99

Keywords: Gray Hair, Bacteria-Related Hair Loss, Scalp Inflammation

In Europe, "Cosmaceuticals"  industry, a hybrid of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals products, is getting more and more popular every day. However, such is not the case in the U.S due to excessive governmental regulations. The growth of the cosmaceuticals industry in Europe has prompted L'Oreal, the French powerhouse for skincare products, to conduct new research on a series of hair treatments.

Following its recent lauch of Dercos (aminexil) for hair loss, L'Oreal now foucses its research on new treatment to prevent gray hair. The research relies on a $238,000 scanning laser microscopes to probe the nature of hair cells and follicle structures. "It's reasonable to say we'll have products in 5 - 10 years" says Bruno Bertrand, head of L'Oreal's hair research laboratory.

The study of the metabolism of hair cells and the hair research laboratory was only established at L'Oreal about 10 years ago. Already, L'Oreal researchers have shown that in some cases hair loss can result from inflammation triggered by a microflora of bacteria on the scalp. The company has not elaborated with details about this inflammation related hair loss. However, it does sound very similar to Nioxin's Semodex treatment for demodex mites found on balding scalp. Dercos (aminexil) shampoo is L'Oreal's answer to  inflammation and bacteria related hair loss. To further substantiate L'Oreal's findings, we have also come across other researchers' findings on light-activated bacterial on scalp and hair loss. Details can be found in Article #83 on sunscreen.

L'Oreal's Dercos shampoo is only available in Europe at this point.